Franco Ordonez
Appearances
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Cose sbagliate, cose giuste - #21
The White House's Office of Personnel Management has told government workers that if they quit by February 6th, they would still get paid through September 30th. Trump told reporters that his goal is to carry out a long-time Republican plan to reduce the size of the government.
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Cose sbagliate, cose giuste - #21
The White House bypassed Congress, which is supposed to approve such an offer. Combine that with moves to shut down diversity programs and the USAID website going dark has set off a panic among federal workers, who are uncertain about the future of their jobs. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-26-2025 5PM EDT
But top officials continue to be questioned about the leak at the White House and on Capitol Hill. Franco Ordonez, NPR News, the White House.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-26-2025 5PM EDT
The Atlantic magazine published more messages from the group chat of senior Trump officials detailing precise launch times and the specific fighter jets that would carry out strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. The White House insists such details were not classified.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-26-2025 5PM EDT
Alina Haba, a counselor to the president this morning, continued to minimize the significance and attack the media for its coverage.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-02-2025 6PM EDT
Some countries will face reciprocal tariffs as high as 49 percent in what some experts describe as the most aggressive changes to U.S. trade policy in decades. President Trump announced a plan during a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 04-02-2025 6PM EDT
U.S. officials say the 10 percent tariffs will start April 5th. About 60 countries will face additional, customized reciprocal tariffs starting on April 9th. Trump boasted the plan would supercharge the industrial base and boost government revenues. But most economists warn that tariffs will raise prices for consumers and could hurt the economy. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-05-2025 8PM EST
Vance defended the administration against questions about interior enforcement. He said they are working on a plan to make it easier for those here illegally to return of their own accord. But he did not give details. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-05-2025 8PM EST
The trip followed President Trump's joint address to Congress where he touted a dramatic crackdown in border crossings. Vice President Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard received a helicopter tour of the Eagle Pass area on the border and also met with local law enforcement.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-31-2025 6PM EDT
Speaking outside the White House, Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said that President Trump continues to have confidence in the National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Waltz took responsibility for adding the Atlantic editors-in-chief to the group chat of top officials discussing plans to launch strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-31-2025 6PM EDT
Last week, the White House said it was reviewing how the journalist was added. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill also called for an investigation. But Leavitt said today they have completed their review.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-31-2025 6PM EDT
Levitt did not offer any details, though, on what steps were taken. Franco, Ordonez, NPR News, the White House.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-28-2025 6PM EDT
J.D. Vance said Greenland has a right to self-determination, but insisted that Greenlanders would be safer and richer under the U.S. security umbrella.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-28-2025 6PM EDT
Vance said he did not anticipate the U.S. would forcibly annex the territory, but that the U.S. taking control was a matter of national security. He cited Russia and China's interest in gaining control of Arctic passageways and Arctic naval routes. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-21-2025 4PM EDT
President Trump made the announcement in an Oval Office meeting saying that student loans will be better managed by Kelly Loeffler, the administrator of the Small Business Administration and her team.
NPR News Now
NPR News: 03-21-2025 4PM EDT
The announcement comes a day after Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Education Department. Trump has argued the department is poorly run and that much of the work can be done more efficiently by the states. Trump says programs involving special needs and nutrition would be handled by the Department of Health and Human Services. Franco Ordonez, NPR News, The White House.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
Good morning, Michelle.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
Yeah, when he got back to the airport in Washington, Trump really tore into the agency, basically charging that it was poorly run.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
No, he did not. And he and his team do want greater control over the department or with the work that they do. They want greater control over the spending, and they feel that too much money is going to causes that are not in U.S. interests. Now, lawmakers are concerned. Democrats have actually warned that Trump cannot just shut down USAID on its own without going through Congress.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
Yeah, he definitely has big intentions here. He says Doge is in the process of specifically shutting down USAID. And he emphasizes that he could not do that without the support of the president. He actually said he went over it with Trump a few times. He asked him, was he sure? You know, I mentioned earlier that Congress was concerned about all this.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
Musk didn't mention any statute or authority that would allow the president to basically skip Congress and shut down the agency unilaterally. That said, Trump does seem to be standing behind Musk, saying that he is doing a great job, while even acknowledging that they might not agree all the time that he's behind him.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, Doge, of course, is this department that's tasked with leading substantial cost cutting, you know, and it's not just about shutting down the department. You know, over the weekend, there were reports of two security officials at USAID who were put on administrative leave. for refusing Doge access to certain systems.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
Democrats have accused Doge of inappropriately accessing classified materials, which the lawmakers are saying they're going to investigate. I will note that their spokesman, Doge spokesman Katie Miller, said no classified material was accessed without clearances.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
Michelle, it caps off like such a week of chaos. USAID was not the only website taken down. Some other websites were down temporarily. There is just so much fear and uncertainty across the federal workforce, and it really does look like that's all by design.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
Thank you, Michelle.
Up First from NPR
What Trump Said Last Night, Trump On Immigration, China Tariff Confidence
And when he wouldn't sit down, House Speaker Mike Johnson actually had him escorted out of the chamber, which was a first as far as I can remember. And throughout the speech, Republicans were cheering. Democrats were holding up these signs that read things like false and save Medicaid.
Up First from NPR
What Trump Said Last Night, Trump On Immigration, China Tariff Confidence
And just repeatedly, Trump would go after former President Joe Biden by name and calling Democrats radical left lunatics. I mean, the partisan nature of this speech is really likely what this is going to be remembered for.
Up First from NPR
What Trump Said Last Night, Trump On Immigration, China Tariff Confidence
Yeah, Trump actually spent a lot of time touting the work of Elon Musk and his project to cut costs known as the Department of Government Efficiency. And he got into some of the nitty gritty, giving this long list of examples that he said were being cut. Here's a small part.
Up First from NPR
What Trump Said Last Night, Trump On Immigration, China Tariff Confidence
Now, Steve, Trump's critics have said some of these cuts were for necessary services like aid for starving children. And in some cases, the White House did acknowledge this and rehired people. But NPR has also looked into some of the claims of savings posted on the Doge website and documents show that most of those savings don't actually exist.
Up First from NPR
What Trump Said Last Night, Trump On Immigration, China Tariff Confidence
Yeah, a little bit. He asked Congress to pass his tax cuts. He talked about a plan that he'll announce this week to expand production of critical minerals in the U.S. But he really spent most of his time talking about things that he's already done. Well, did he use guests in attendance to make his points, as presidents often do? He did. He did. And that kind of shows the priorities.
Up First from NPR
What Trump Said Last Night, Trump On Immigration, China Tariff Confidence
A lot of the guests were victims of crime or worked in law enforcement. There was this really heartwarming moment when Trump honored a 13-year-old boy who has fought brain cancer. He was dressed in a police uniform, and Trump said he had a special surprise for him.
Up First from NPR
What Trump Said Last Night, Trump On Immigration, China Tariff Confidence
Trump's secret service director then came out and gave him a badge and a hug.
Up First from NPR
What Trump Said Last Night, Trump On Immigration, China Tariff Confidence
Well, I mean, one of the biggest concerns Americans have is their grocery bills. And Trump promised to cut high prices, but we really didn't hear anything new about those plans. He just blamed Biden.
Up First from NPR
What Trump Said Last Night, Trump On Immigration, China Tariff Confidence
Good morning, Steve.
Up First from NPR
What Trump Said Last Night, Trump On Immigration, China Tariff Confidence
Yeah, I mean, there was always some kind of tension in these kind of speeches. But last night, that tension was really so much higher. I mean, in the first five minutes, a Democratic congressman, Al Green of Texas, stood up in protest. He was waving his cane and calling out that Trump didn't have a mandate.
Up First from NPR
Trump Day One, Immigration, January 6 Pardons
Yeah, I mean, I think clearly it's the pardons of those involved in the riots of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. I mean, he pardoned 1,500 people who were involved, a really big number. I mean, he also signed a series of orders on immigration. He took a big step toward his own stated goal of overhauling the federal government.
Up First from NPR
Trump Day One, Immigration, January 6 Pardons
Doing so, he signed an order reclassifying tens of thousands of career civil servants so that they can be easily replaced with basically loyalists who are more willing to carry out his agenda. I'll just note that's likely to face legal challenges.
Up First from NPR
Trump Day One, Immigration, January 6 Pardons
Well, I mean, on the one hand, it's a full-scale assault on President Biden's legacy. Trump revoked nearly 80 executive actions taken by the Biden administration on issues like climate, energy, and diversity programs. On the other, it's a sign of how Trump plans to expand his presidential powers.
Up First from NPR
Trump Day One, Immigration, January 6 Pardons
I mean, a number of these orders will be challenged in the courts, like you said, but Trump and his team just do not seem to care. I mean, they've made it very clear they're willing to be creative when interpreting and applying these old laws and new ways to fulfill his agenda. It also shows how Trump is willing to get back at people who he feels wronged him.
Up First from NPR
Trump Day One, Immigration, January 6 Pardons
I mean, just as an example, one executive order, there was a measure revoking the security clearance of his former national security advisor, John Bolton. Bolton, of course, wrote a book that Trump was unfit to be president.
Up First from NPR
Trump Day One, Immigration, January 6 Pardons
I mean, it was kind of a mix of domestic and foreign, long list. And as he signed, he actually took questions from reporters who were in the pool in the room about his plans to do in office. I mean, one of them asked when he'll talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine. Here's what Trump said.
Up First from NPR
Trump Day One, Immigration, January 6 Pardons
So we'll be watching to see when some of these calls with Putin and other foreign leaders start to take place.
Up First from NPR
Trump Day One, Immigration, January 6 Pardons
I mean, he's already busy. You know, he posted on social media this morning that he was removing more than a thousand of Biden administration appointees like celebrity chef Jose Andres and retired General Mark Milley. And my colleague Deidre Walsh confirmed that House Speaker Mike Johnson is planning to come to the White House today. But really, beyond that, we don't know much more.
Up First from NPR
Israel Strikes Gaza, Trump And The Courts, Takeover At US Institute Of Peace
Good morning.
Up First from NPR
Israel Strikes Gaza, Trump And The Courts, Takeover At US Institute Of Peace
Well, I mean, the controversy is whether the U.S. government defied a legal court order, which would be a potential breakdown between the executive branch and the judicial branch. And many legal experts say this would create a major constitutional crisis. Now, the White House says they did not ignore the court, and they're painting this as a counterterrorism operation.
Up First from NPR
Israel Strikes Gaza, Trump And The Courts, Takeover At US Institute Of Peace
They say most of the migrants on the plane were members of a Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Agua. Others were from the Salvadoran gang, MS-13. But really, as you noted, part of this debate is over the timing of the order. The White House says the written order was issued after the flights had taken off. But the earlier the judge did give a verbal order.
Up First from NPR
Israel Strikes Gaza, Trump And The Courts, Takeover At US Institute Of Peace
I mean, politically, they see this as a winning issue. I mean, it's one Trump campaigned on, and they're claiming this operation is him carrying out that promise. I mean, they feel that most Americans care more that violent gang members are being removed from the country.
Up First from NPR
Israel Strikes Gaza, Trump And The Courts, Takeover At US Institute Of Peace
I mean, they even made light of the controversy yesterday and over the weekend, reposting a note by the Salvadoran president who wrote online, quote, oopsie, too late. After the judge called back the plane, and they're also posting on social media video of tattooed migrants with their hands chained boarding planes to different kinds of music.
Up First from NPR
Israel Strikes Gaza, Trump And The Courts, Takeover At US Institute Of Peace
Well, they say they did not. And I did speak with Justin Levitt, a law professor at Loyola Marymount University, who served in the Biden White House. He said it's clear the Trump administration is attacking the judicial branch in alarming ways. But he said it was not clear whether the administration was actually violating those orders yet.
Up First from NPR
Israel Strikes Gaza, Trump And The Courts, Takeover At US Institute Of Peace
You know, he adds that they talk tough on TV and press briefings. Vice President Vance has attacked judges, saying they're not allowed to control executive branch. Just yesterday, the border czar Tom Homan said on Fox he didn't care what judges think. But so far, Levitt says a Trump administration has complied with the orders, albeit reluctantly.
Up First from NPR
Israel Strikes Gaza, Trump And The Courts, Takeover At US Institute Of Peace
I mean, this is a case that should not be looked at in a vacuum. The question at hand is not whether or not these people are dangerous and should be in the country, but the process of their removal. Is it legal? And specifically, did the administration knowingly ignore this order? This is just another example, though, of how the White House is working to stretch its powers.
Up First from NPR
Israel Strikes Gaza, Trump And The Courts, Takeover At US Institute Of Peace
And we have seen this with the legislative branch, and we're now seeing it in the judicial branch.
Up First from NPR
Israel Strikes Gaza, Trump And The Courts, Takeover At US Institute Of Peace
Thank you.
Up First from NPR
Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump's Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access
Yeah, A, Trump says these tariffs will go into effect next week. Now, they apply to both autos and auto parts. Trump is kind of painting this as a way to jumpstart the auto industry and raise tens of billions of dollars in revenue. He says auto companies, even foreign ones, will build more operations in the U.S. or expand existing ones.
Up First from NPR
Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump's Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access
And he's criticized those who took operations in the past out of the U.S.,
Up First from NPR
Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump's Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access
But as Michelle noted, the move is also raising a lot of concerns.
Up First from NPR
Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump's Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access
Well, one of the big winners are the auto unions. The United Auto Workers Union, for example, is praising this decision, saying it's time to, quote, end the free trade disaster. But the big three automakers, Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, are very concerned. They have production spread out across the world, including Canada and Mexico. And the cars and the parts are going to be tariffed.
Up First from NPR
Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump's Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access
You know, they've raised big concerns in the past when these threats were posed. And a group that represents foreign automakers like BMW, Honda has also raised concerns that it's all just going to make it more expensive to produce cars and lead to higher prices.
Up First from NPR
Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump's Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access
Yeah, Trump's already imposed a bunch of other tariffs on steel and aluminum, as well as other goods from China, Canada, and Mexico. And these new tariffs come just a week ahead of his promised announcement of reciprocal tariffs on imports, which he says are furthest countries that impose tariffs on the U.S. But he did yesterday back off a bit on how tough those reciprocal tariffs will be.
Up First from NPR
Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump's Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access
Yesterday, he said people may be surprised that they're going to be more lenient than they once feared. He also did say, though, to expect tariffs on lumber and pharmaceuticals.
Up First from NPR
Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump's Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access
Yeah, he really does love tariffs. He says that all the time. I mean, he argues that they're an important tool to be used for leverage on things like national security and other U.S. interests. But you're absolutely right. Most economists say tariffs raise prices for consumers, and that could hurt the economy. Trump often uses them as a negotiating tool, and that has really made economists
Up First from NPR
Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump's Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access
even more worried. And that's because of the uncertainty that they cause. And you see that in the markets. Now, in some cases, he says these tariffs will go away if countries do things that he wants, like help him with immigration. But this time, he says he's serious and that these car tariffs are here to stay. All right, we'll see.
Up First from NPR
Trump and Zelenskyy Feud, DOGE Savings Claims, Hamas Releases Four Hostage Bodies
Yeah, I mean, what Trump called Zelensky a dictator without elections, basically echoing Russian talking points that Zelensky is an illegitimate leader and that Ukraine needs new elections. Now, in that same social media post, Trump also mocked Zelensky as a, quote, modestly successful comedian who basically tricked the U.S. into spending billions and billions of dollars on the war.
Up First from NPR
Trump and Zelenskyy Feud, DOGE Savings Claims, Hamas Releases Four Hostage Bodies
Trump also appeared to blame Zelensky for the Russian invasion. All this as Zelensky has raised concerns about, as Steve said, Ukraine being excluded from U.S. negotiations with Russia over ending the war. Here's Trump talking about it on Tuesday.
Up First from NPR
Trump and Zelenskyy Feud, DOGE Savings Claims, Hamas Releases Four Hostage Bodies
Now, just to be very, very clear, Ukraine did not start the war. Russia did. But Trump also suggested that Zelensky's popularity had fallen as low as 4%. It's actually over 40%, 50%.
Up First from NPR
Trump and Zelenskyy Feud, DOGE Savings Claims, Hamas Releases Four Hostage Bodies
Yeah, I mean, it was that first call with Zelensky back in 2019 where Trump asked for a favor to dig up dirt on Vice President Biden that kicked off Trump's first impeachment. I did speak with Andrea Kendall-Taylor at the Center for New American Security, and she says Trump never really respected Zelensky and continues to carry a lot of negative baggage about him and Ukraine.
Up First from NPR
Trump and Zelenskyy Feud, DOGE Savings Claims, Hamas Releases Four Hostage Bodies
Now, of course, it's a complex relationship. And like many of Trump's relationships with foreign leaders, it can really be hot or cold depending on the circumstances.
Up First from NPR
Trump and Zelenskyy Feud, DOGE Savings Claims, Hamas Releases Four Hostage Bodies
I mean, very carefully. He's long used flattery to try to win favor with Trump, but he's been pushing back more recently. You know, after Trump questioned Zelensky's poll numbers, Zelensky told reporters that as much as he respects Trump, the U.S. president appears to be amplifying Russian disinformation. What's next? What are we looking for?
Up First from NPR
Trump and Zelenskyy Feud, DOGE Savings Claims, Hamas Releases Four Hostage Bodies
Well, the French President Emmanuel Macron will be in Washington next week to meet with Trump. Also, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also expected to visit. Now, like many leaders, Macron and others are concerned about Europe not being part of these negotiations with Russia.
Up First from NPR
Trump and Zelenskyy Feud, DOGE Savings Claims, Hamas Releases Four Hostage Bodies
The big worry across Europe is that even if a deal is reached, it won't be lasting and that Russia will likely invade again, as he has before. The worry across Europe is that even if a deal is reached, it won't be lasting and Russia will likely invade again and possibly another European nation. That is NPR's Franco Ordonez.
Up First from NPR
Trump and Zelenskyy Feud, DOGE Savings Claims, Hamas Releases Four Hostage Bodies
Thank you, Michelle.
Up First from NPR
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Says She's Fighting President Trump's "Illusion of Power"
Yeah. I mean, he said, you know, you should go back to where you originally came from before you go speak out about how the United States government should be run. He also claimed that the lawmakers came from countries whose, quote, whose governments are complete and total catastrophe. But as you noted, they're all American citizens, etc., etc., etc.
Up First from NPR
Trump At The Superbowl, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Turmoil, Air Aid To Gaza
Thanks, A. Yeah, Trump took the field about an hour ahead of the game to meet with first responders and victims of the terror attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day. And he got largely a positive reception from people who saw him that first time. But later, when they flashed a picture on the Jumbotron in his box during the national anthem. he really did get a strong mix of cheers and jeers.
Up First from NPR
Trump At The Superbowl, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Turmoil, Air Aid To Gaza
Now, Trump is the first sitting president to attend the title game. Ahead of the game, he said he thought Kansas City would win. That obviously did not happen. It was a very one-sided game. And I don't know about you, A, but I was pretty surprised by that.
Up First from NPR
Trump At The Superbowl, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Turmoil, Air Aid To Gaza
Yeah, he says he's going to send Elon Musk to check out the Department of Education this week. And he expects more cuts like we've seen at USAID and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. But there was more questions that he took yesterday. Yeah. He actually also brought us to the cabin on his plane on Air Force One, flying to the game. This really doesn't happen very often.
Up First from NPR
Trump At The Superbowl, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Turmoil, Air Aid To Gaza
And the reason was he wanted to highlight kind of the body of water that was below us.
Up First from NPR
Trump At The Superbowl, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Turmoil, Air Aid To Gaza
He was actually underscoring that executive order that he signed a couple of weeks ago, renaming the Gulf of Mexico. Now, next to him was Doug Burgum, the interior secretary. And Burgum added that the team is now calling map makers like Google Maps and Apple Maps to kind of put the name change into effect.
Up First from NPR
Trump At The Superbowl, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Turmoil, Air Aid To Gaza
Yeah, he promised to slap new 25% tariffs on all imports of steel and aluminum. That's going to happen today. On Tuesday or Wednesday, he's planning to announce reciprocal tariffs. He didn't say on what countries, but did promise that they would take effect almost immediately.
Up First from NPR
Trump At The Superbowl, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Turmoil, Air Aid To Gaza
He also addressed the war in Ukraine. He confirmed that he's been speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war, but he didn't want to give any details about what they discussed.
Up First from NPR
Trump At The Superbowl, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Turmoil, Air Aid To Gaza
Yeah, I think there's going to be a lot of focus on foreign policy this week. Now, Trump's expected to meet with the King of Jordan on Tuesday. That's important because he's calling for Jordan and other regional leaders to allow Palestinians from Gaza to live there. It's a plan that the Jordanians have so far rejected. Now, on the plane, he doubled down on his commitment to buy and own Gaza.
Up First from NPR
Trump At The Superbowl, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Turmoil, Air Aid To Gaza
Now, he didn't outright deny the possibility of Palestinians coming to the U.S., but he did emphasize that it would be better if they stayed in the region. During those years, it would take to rebuild Gaza. And just one other thing, A, Trump is also meeting with the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, this week. The two leaders are expected to talk trade and illegal immigration.
Up First from NPR
Trump At The Superbowl, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Turmoil, Air Aid To Gaza
Thanks, A.